Jhavonte Dean update

Junior college cornerback Jhavonte Dean is slated to visit Miami next weekend.

I just spoke with a family member of Dean's and asked if he thought a flip to Miami from Alabama was coming, and he responded, "he will, probably after his visit."

Miami is looking to add Dean to their defensive backs class, as Manny Diaz, Mike Rumph, and Ephraim Banda all having gone to see him before the dead period. He is currently in Miami and has been working out with 2018 Canes commit D.J. Ivey this week.

This is good news. Hope it happens. Need this dude to hold things down until we get our 2017 & 2018 DB class set. If bamer hasn't give him an ultimatum then it probably means they backed off anyway IMO.

I think next year this is the type of defense that could mask major deficiencies in a secondary. However our secondary, especially if we can add this kid, will be far from a deficiency. I expect them to get the opportunity to be an aggressive, ballhawking group and this kid could be a huge part of it.

Only thing we missed this year with our defense is being a bit more opportunistic and scoring off turnovers. I know about the two from the frosh, but I don't recall many more. We may need a few more of those this year with the offensive situation.

That's a good point. I think that that's the next step for this group. Defensive scores can be devastating. Hopefully that's the natural progression for these guys as they grow up

- It changes our flexibility with guys like Deejay Dallas, who could also play S or WR. I think Dallas is a DB, but others feel he should stay on offense. That'll need to get sorted out and it is much more difficult to do so if we simply lack talent/numbers at Corner.

- While I've read some say he'd replace Corn, I actually disagree. Corn's spot is for Malek. Some of you guys are severely underrating Malek Young and I'm not sure why. Even from just his True Frosh game-time, watch his feet, acceleration and attitude. He didn't get to show his ball skills, but they're there. Can't say he'll produce what a senior Corn Elder produced, but it won't be a dropoff that hurts us too much. I think you'll see Malek become more comfortable with some of the zone coverages where he initially seemed hesitant.

- Dean is a cover guy. Think of Redwine. Think of what Redwine brings to the table. Now think of the opposite. Dean has decent length. I think he's a field corner, but remember that matters less in what Diaz does. Everyone has to tackle anyway. That will be his test, but I'm glad the defensive staff is showing flexibility and open-mindedness because of Dean's ability to change direction and stick to receivers instead of the "everyone just has to hit" parameter.

- This may give us a chance to move Redwine to FS. I really wish Bandy were an EE, but we'll see how all the moving pieces shake out. Young, Dean, Michael Jackson and we still need 2 more.

Don't underestimate how important this is, folks. Serious ramifications for next year and beyond!